Todd Boehly. (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Chelsea suffered a setback in their push for a top-four finish over the weekend after a narrow 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United.
Despite dominating possession for large spells of the match, Liam Rosenior’s side could not find a breakthrough, and the result leaves their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League out of their own hands.
Liverpool have now moved ahead of the Blues on goal difference, pushing Chelsea down into sixth place.
With attention gradually turning toward the summer transfer window, the club’s recruitment team is already working on potential additions.
Among the names reportedly on their radar is one that will sound very familiar to football fans around the world.
Chelsea ‘Accelerating’ Move for Messi
Chelsea are reportedly stepping up their efforts to bring highly rated youngster Rayane Messi Tanfouri to Stamford Bridge in the future.
According to TEAMtalk, the Blues are accelerating their long-term plans for the 18-year-old attacker, who is currently on loan at Saudi club Neom from Strasbourg — a fellow club within the BlueCo ownership group.
The French youth international joined Strasbourg from Dijon in 2024 for around £1.3 million and quickly made an impression. During the 2024–25 Coupe de France campaign, he scored twice in two appearances for the club, highlighting his potential as an exciting attacking prospect.
Messi spent the first half of the current season on loan with Pau before switching to Neom last month in search of more regular playing time. Since arriving in Saudi Arabia, he has already contributed a goal and an assist as he continues his development.
The plan is for Messi to return to Strasbourg at the end of the campaign, where he is expected to become more involved with the first team before potentially making the step up to Chelsea in the future.
Interest in the France Under-19 international is already growing, with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain all reportedly making enquiries about the young attacker. However, BlueCo are said to have no intention of allowing him to leave their multi-club structure anytime soon.
While he is still at the early stages of his career, Rayane Messi Tanfouri is already attracting attention from some of Europe’s biggest clubs. Chelsea appear determined to keep control of the talented youngster’s development, and if he continues to progress, Stamford Bridge could eventually be the stage where the “other Messi” makes his name.
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